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Countries are typically named for (or derive names from) ethnic groups, famous individuals, geographical locations, and geological features.
Argentina: Silver
Australia: Southern land
Austria: Land of the east
Bahamas: Shallow sea
Bermuda: Captain Bermudez
Bolivia: Simon Bolivar
Botswana: Tswana ethnic
people
Brazil: Brazilwood tree
Bulgaria: Land of the
Bulgars
Canada: Village (in Iroquian)
China: China emperor Qin
Columbia: Christopher
Columbus
Congo: Kongo kingdom
Costa Rica: Rich coast
Cook Islands: Captain James
Cook
Cyprus: Copper
Ecuador: Equator
Eritrea: Red sea
Guatamala: Land of many
trees
Guinea: Women
Guyana: Land of many waters
Haiti: Land of mountains
Hungary: Ten arrows
Japan: Land of the rising
sun
Kenya: White mountain
Kyrgyzstan: Land of forty
tribes
Liberia: Free
Liechtenstein: Light
(brilliant) stone
Luxembourg: Little castle
Madagascar: Earth's end
Mexico: Mexica (an Aztec
group)
Micronesia: Small islands
Nepal: Cattle herders
Netherlands: Lowlands
Holland: Wooded land
Norway: Northern way
Philippines: King Phillip
II of Spain
Polynesia: Many islands
Romania: Realm of the
Romans
Sierra Leone: Lion
mountains
Singapore: Lion city
Sri Lanka: Beautiful land
Sudan: Land of the blacks
Thailand: Land of the free
Venezuela: Little Venice
Zimbabwe: Stone houses

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